A Narrow Escape

Orochimaru had begun researching the Uchiha Clan's Sharingan long ago, since he and Danzo had been working together.

Danzo had collected quite a few Sharingan for Orochimaru to study, but no matter how hard he tried, Orochimaru couldn't crack the secret of the Mangekyō.

In the end, Orochimaru could only conclude that only those with Uchiha blood could awaken the Mangekyō. That was why he was so fixated on the bodies of Uchiha elites. He had no interest in defective specimens like Kakashi.

"I know the reason!"

Hōzuki Mangetsu said unhurriedly, "And I can tell you, too. It'll greatly advance your research."

To a longtime Naruto fan like him, the secrets of the Sharingan were nothing special.

"Let's hear it."

Orochimaru spoke with a sinister smile.

Hōzuki Mangetsu smiled faintly. "The Mangekyō Sharingan is an evolved form of the ordinary Sharingan. An Uchiha who has awakened the Mangekyō is in a completely different league from one with an ordinary Sharingan. The Mangekyō Sharingan can control Tailed Beasts, and it also comes with a powerful technique called Susanoo. Mr. Orochimaru, am I right?"

You...

Orochimaru narrowed his eyes.

The secrets of the Mangekyō Sharingan were a closely guarded Konoha secret. Even he had only learned of them through Danzo. How could Hozuki Mangetsu know?

He must've heard it somewhere!

Orochimaru sneered a few times. "You brat probably haven't even seen a Sharingan, have you?"

Hōzuki Suigetsu smiled.

"What if I told you I knew how to awaken the Mangekyō?"

Before the words had left his mouth, Orochimaru's neck stretched out and turned into a snake, coiling tightly around Hōzuki Suigetsu as it lunged at him with its jaws wide open.

Whether Hōzuki Suigetsu was telling the truth or not, Orochimaru intended to capture him.

If he could learn what caused the Mangekyō to awaken, it would revolutionize Orochimaru's research.

Splash!

Hōzuki Suigetsu's body turned into a puddle of water once more.

Orochimaru slowly drew back his long neck.

Fighting a Water Release ninja in a place with water was a truly foolish decision.

"Mr. Orochimaru!"

Hōzuki Suigetsu reappeared not far away, grinning. "I may not be your match, but you'll never capture me. So if you want to know the secret of the Mangekyō, you'll have to work with me."

Orochimaru sneered. "It's incredibly irritating to be threatened by a brat. Fine. What do you want from me?"

Hōzuki Mangetsu wouldn't give something away for nothing, of course.

"The Snake Clan Contract from Ryūchi Cave!"

Hōzuki Mangetsu said earnestly.

The Sannin had dominated the Shinobi World for so many years not only because of their strength, but also because of their respective summons.

They were the strongest summons besides the Tailed Beasts!

If there was one thing Orochimaru had that Hōzuki Suigetsu coveted most, it was the Snake Clan Contract.

"What?"

Orochimaru's expression darkened at once. "You're greedy, brat!"

Summons were one of Orochimaru's trump cards. Besides, they were connected to Ryūchi Cave's senjutsu, so he wouldn't hand over the contract lightly.

"Then there's nothing I can do. I also wanted your Kusanagi Sword, but I guess that's even less likely."

Hōzuki Suigetsu shrugged.

Perhaps he'd inherited the Hozuki Clan's passion for Ninja Blades and tools. Whenever he saw a good ninja tool, he wanted to claim it for himself.

Even if he couldn't get the Snake Clan Contract, trading for a Kusanagi Sword would be a good deal.

Orochimaru considered it for a moment, then slowly spat out another sword.

This one looked a little different from the previous one, but its blade was brighter and more beautiful.

"This is another one of my treasures. It's sharper than the one I use, and it can also complement its user's nature. This is the price I'm willing to pay."

As he spoke, he planted the sword in front of Hōzuki Suigetsu.

Sasuke's Kusanagi Sword?

Hōzuki Suigetsu's eyes lit up as he gazed at the beautiful Ninja Blade. In his previous life, as a ninja-tool enthusiast, he'd always been especially fond of Sasuke's sword.

"Deal!"

Hōzuki Suigetsu formed a hand seal and spat out a large amount of clean water, washing the Orochimaru stomach acid off the sword before pulling it free.

"What a sword!"

Seeing the cold gleam along the blade, he couldn't help praising it.

It wasn't as powerful as Orochimaru's sword, but it was much more beautiful.

Chakra flowed!

Hōzuki Mangetsu gripped the sword tightly with his right hand. A pale blue glow spread from the blade, making the Kusanagi Sword in his hand shine even brighter.

Sorry, Sasuke. I stole your treasure!

The Hozuki Clan were naturally gifted at using ninja tools. The moment he got his hands on the Kusanagi Sword, Hōzuki Mangetsu immediately mastered its properties and how to use it.

"Brat!"

Orochimaru sneered. "I've given you what you wanted. Now tell me what I want to know."

Hōzuki Mangetsu smiled sheepishly and put away the Kusanagi Sword.

"The Mangekyō Sharingan is an advanced stage of the ordinary Sharingan. Not everyone can awaken it, just as not every member of the Uchiha Clan can awaken the Sharingan."

Orochimaru nodded. He'd suspected as much for a while, and Hōzuki Mangetsu's words confirmed it.

A faint smile appeared at the corner of Hōzuki Mangetsu's mouth as he continued. "To awaken the Mangekyō, talent isn't enough. More importantly..."

He paused, then said each word clearly. "You have to kill the person you love most."

Kill the person you love most?

Orochimaru was stunned. He watched Hōzuki Mangetsu with an inscrutable expression. What kind of method was that supposed to be?

Was the brat just trying to fob him off?

At the thought, Orochimaru's eyes darkened again.

Hōzuki Mangetsu hurriedly explained, "There's a reason the Uchiha Clan is called an evil clan and the Sharingan is called an evil eye. Legend has it that Uchiha Madara and his younger brother Izuna both killed the people they loved most, and that's how they awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan."

Orochimaru's thoughts stirred. He thought he'd seen something like this in the First's records. The Uchiha brothers had awakened the Mangekyō during a period of conflict within their clan. Could that have been what caused it?

He wasn't sure, but it did point his research in a new direction.

"Brat!"

Orochimaru sneered. "If you dare deceive me, I'll wipe out the Hozuki Clan."

Then he turned and left.

Was it finally over?

Hōzuki Mangetsu breathed a sigh of relief and hurriedly called out, "Mr. Orochimaru, how do I contact you?"

Orochimaru tossed a scroll over from a distance. "This is my messenger snake. If anything comes up, just tie a letter to it."

Hōzuki Mangetsu reached out and caught it.

"Oh, right!"

Orochimaru suddenly added, "Your whereabouts were leaked by a man named Suikazan Fuguki."

With that, he gradually disappeared into the forest.

If you enjoyed this book, remember to add it to your bookshelf so you can find it again next time.